THE ORIGIN OF THE TERM 420

The term 420 is used in Marijuana culture or Cannabis culture as a time to get high, a national day to get high, and cannabis or marijuana itself.

420 Origin at San Rafael High School:

In the early 1970's, the term 420 originated at San Rafael High School, among a group of about a dozen pot smoking students who called
themselves the Waldos. The term was shorthand for the time of day the group would meet, at the campus statue of Louis Pasteur, to
smoke marijuana. Intent on developing their own discreet lingo, they made 420 code for a time to get high, and its use spread among
members of an entire generation.

There are a lot of different theories
about how the word was first invented:

Bob Dylan theory: In Bob Dylan's song, Rainy Day Women, the lyrics contain
" everybody must get stoned". 420 comes from the title, as
12 times 35 =420.

Highway 420 theory: In Ontario, Canada in the 60's, marijuana grew freely on one of the Highways. This highway was later renamed in
1972 as Highway 420.

The Date 4/20 theory: April 20th is coincidentally the birthday of Adolph Hitler who was born on April 20, 1889. It is also interesting
to note that the Columbine High School shootings also occurred on this date in 1999.